Theni: Water-starved, paddy crop dying

THENI: Paddy crop in thousands of acres in Cumbum Valley is withering owing to scorching heat and early stoppage of water from Periyar Dam.

Paddy crop in a part of Uthamapalayam and over 550 acres under the ayacut of Karungankattan Kulam, 700 acres under Vairavan Canal, 500 acres under Chinna Canal and a sizable area under 17 channels is in a bad condition, according to farmers. Veerapandi is the worst affected as the entire crop is dying.

Representatives of several farmers’ associations want immediate release of water to protect the standing crop.